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Japan to provide Rs4.080 billion latest radars technology

Islamabad—Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Aftab Ahmed Sheikh Friday informed the National Assembly that government of Japan will assist to install latest technology radars in Islamabad and Karachi with the cost of Rs 2.50 billion and Rs 1.580 billion respectively.
Answering the questions of parliamentarians in National Assembly’s question hour, he said, that work on the installation of new radars at both sites is in progress.
Keeping in view the recurring flash flooding in Kalpani Nullah of Mardan, the government has provided funds to PMD for installation of radar. Next year, this new radar at Mardan will be operational,he said. The minister said that total cost of ( Mardan Radar) project is Rs. 230.00 million.
He further informed the House that a consolidated proposal for modernization of PMD has already been submitted to Prime Minister’s office. Aftab Sheikh said that Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has installed 7 radars at Islamabad, Lahore, Sialkot, Karachi, Mangla, D.I. Khan and Rahim Yar Khan to support flood early warning system. All these radars are operational and providing output for prediction of weather systems and issuance of warnings, he said.
However, he said, most of the radars are based on old technology and input of new technology is required. In this regard, PMD has submitted a comprehensive proposal to government of Pakistan for the replacement of old radars as well as installation of new radars at 18 locations in the country. PMD’s weather and climate observing network is spread all over Pakistan in 97 districts while in remaining 40 districts will be covered in a recent proposal submitted to prime minister..—APP